Idaho Briefs August 6, 2013

Mountain man wins longest beard contest

PIERCE - An Idaho man again bested all rivals in a small town's "Longest Beard" competition - though his pride and joy was an inch shorter than last year.

The Lewiston Tribune reports Bob Canup is the four-time champion of Pierce's annual competition, held at the mining town's 1860 Days commemorating the discovery of gold nearby.

Beard and all, Canup fits the part, a modern-day prospector who dredges for gold up in Rhodes Creek, hunts for rare crystals and cuts firewood six months of the year to pay bills.

Canup says his secret to life is simple: He doesn't have anybody but himself and his dog to worry about.

Woman killed, 2 men hurt in Snake River

IDAHO FALLS - A woman was killed and two men were injured in a Saturday night boating accident on the South Fork of the Snake River.

The Bonneville County Sheriff's Office reports a 33-year-old woman died, while a 41-year-old man and 34-year-old man were hurt.

The Idaho Falls Post Register reports all are from the Idaho Falls area.

Sheriff's Capt. Sam Hulse says first responders reported a boat completely out of the water when they arrived at the accident site about 2 miles from the Conant Boat Ramp.

Hulse described the boat as a small, motorized aluminum watercraft.

Woman dies in Twin Falls house fire

TWIN FALLS - A 54-year-old woman has died after a house fire in Twin Falls.

The Times-News reports firefighters responding to a house fire at 2:15 a.m. Monday found the woman inside, unresponsive.

City spokesman Joshua Palmer says firefighters gave her medical treatment until paramedics arrived. She was later pronounced dead.

Firefighters believe they know the cause of the fire, but haven't released it yet. Detectives do not believe foul play was involved.

- Associated Press